CVS US Equity☆

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (“MD&A”)

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “10-K”), “Risk Factors” included in Item 1A of this 10-K and the “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” in this 10-K.

Overview of Business

CVS Health Corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, “CVS Health,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer it serves and connecting care so that it works for people wherever they are. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had more than 9,000 retail locations, more than 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, 204 primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 108 million plan members and expanding specialty pharmacy solutions, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 35 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (“PDP”). The Company is creating new sources of value through its integrated model allowing it to expand into personalized, technology driven care delivery and health services, increasing access to quality care, delivering better health outcomes and lowering overall health care costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of two key health care delivery assets to enhance its ability to execute on its care delivery strategy by advancing its primary care, home-based care and provider enablement capabilities. On March 29, 2023, the Company acquired Signify Health, Inc. (“Signify Health”), a leader in health risk assessments, value-based care and provider enablement services. On May 2, 2023, the Company also acquired Oak Street Health, Inc. (“Oak Street Health”), a leading multi-payor operator of value-based primary care centers serving Medicare eligible patients. Both Signify Health and Oak Street Health are included within the Health Services segment.

In connection with its new operating model adopted in the first quarter of 2023, the Company realigned the composition of its segments to reflect how its Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”) reviews information and manages the business. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. As a result of this realignment, the Company formed a new Health Services segment, which in addition to providing a full range of pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”) solutions, also delivers health care services in the Company’s medical clinics, virtually, and in the home, as well as provider enablement solutions. In addition, the Company created a new Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment, which includes its retail and long-term care pharmacy operations and related pharmacy services, as well as its retail front store operations. This segment will also provide pharmacy fulfillment services to support the Health Services segment’s specialty and mail order pharmacy offerings. Prior period segment financial information has been recast to conform with the current period presentation. See Note 19 ‘‘Segment Reporting’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for segment financial information.

The Company has four reportable segments: Health Care Benefits, Health Services, Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness and Corporate/Other, which are described below.

Overview of the Health Care Benefits Segment

The Health Care Benefits segment operates as one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits providers. The Health Care Benefits segment has the information and resources to help members, in consultation with their health care professionals, make more informed decisions about their health care. The Health Care Benefits segment offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, medical management capabilities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, PDPs and Medicaid health care management services. The Health Care Benefits segment’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers (“providers”), governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. The Company refers to insurance products (where it assumes all or a majority of the risk for medical and dental care costs) as “Insured” and administrative services contract products (where the plan sponsor assumes all or a majority of the risk for medical and dental care costs) as “ASC.” The Company sold Insured plans directly to individual consumers through the individual public health insurance exchanges (“Public Exchanges”) in 12 states as of December 31, 2023. The Company entered Public Exchanges in five additional states effective January 2024.

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Overview of the Health Services Segment

The Health Services segment provides a full range of PBM solutions, delivers health care services in its medical clinics, virtually, and in the home, and offers provider enablement solutions. PBM solutions include plan design offerings and administration, formulary management, retail pharmacy network management services, and specialty and mail order pharmacy services. In addition, the Company provides clinical services, disease management services, medical spend management and pharmacy and/or other administrative services for providers and federal 340B drug pricing program covered entities (“Covered Entities”). The Company operates a group purchasing organization that negotiates pricing for the purchase of pharmaceuticals and rebates with pharmaceutical manufacturers on behalf of its participants and provides various administrative, management and reporting services to pharmaceutical manufacturers. During 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of two key health care delivery assets – Signify Health, a leader in health risk assessments, value-based care and provider enablement services, and Oak Street Health, a leading multi-payor operator of value-based primary care centers serving Medicare eligible patients. The Company also announced the launch of CordavisTM, a wholly owned subsidiary that will work directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to commercialize and/or co-produce high quality biosimilar products. The Health Services segment’s clients and customers are primarily employers, insurance companies, unions, government employee groups, health plans, PDPs, Medicaid managed care plans, CMS, plans offered on Insurance Exchanges and other sponsors of health benefit plans throughout the U.S., patients who receive care in the Health Services segment’s medical clinics, virtually or in the home, as well as Covered Entities.

Overview of the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness Segment

The Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment dispenses prescriptions in its retail pharmacies and through its infusion operations, provides ancillary pharmacy services including pharmacy patient care programs, diagnostic testing and vaccination administration, and sells a wide assortment of health and wellness products and general merchandise. The segment also conducts long-term care pharmacy (“LTC”) operations, which distribute prescription drugs and provide related pharmacy consulting and ancillary services to long-term care facilities and other care settings, and provides pharmacy fulfillment services to support the Health Services segment’s specialty and mail order pharmacy offerings. As of December 31, 2023, the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment operated more than 9,000 retail locations, as well as online retail pharmacy websites, LTC pharmacies and on-site pharmacies, retail specialty pharmacy stores, compounding pharmacies and branches for infusion and enteral nutrition services.

Overview of the Corporate/Other Segment

The Company presents the remainder of its financial results in the Corporate/Other segment, which primarily consists of:

•Management and administrative expenses to support the Company’s overall operations, which include certain aspects of executive management and the corporate relations, legal, compliance, human resources and finance departments, information technology, digital, data and analytics, as well as acquisition-related transaction and integration costs; and

•Products for which the Company no longer solicits or accepts new customers such as its large case pensions and long-term care insurance products.

COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) continues to impact the economies of the U.S. and other countries around the world. The impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s businesses, operating results, cash flows and financial condition in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, as well as information regarding certain expected impacts of COVID-19 on the Company, is discussed throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Results of Operations

The following information summarizes the Company’s results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022. Financial information for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 has been revised to reflect the impact of the following items, as applicable:

•The realignment of the Company’s segments to correspond with changes made to its operating model as described in Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, including the discontinuance of the former Maintenance Choice® segment reporting practice as described within the “Segment Analysis” section of this Item 7.

•The impact of the adoption of a new accounting standard related to the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts (the “long-duration insurance accounting standard”), which the Company adopted on January 1, 2023 using a modified retrospective transition method as of January 1, 2021, as described in Note 1 “Significant Accounting Policies” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

•The exclusion of the impact of net realized capital gains or losses from adjusted operating income, as described within the “Segment Analysis” section of this Item 7.

For discussion of the Company’s results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations with Retrospective Adjustments” for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was revised to reflect the items noted above and is included in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 25, 2023.

Summary of Consolidated Financial Results

Change

Revenues:

Operating costs:

Loss on early extinguishment of debt — — 452 — — % (452) (100.0) %

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Commentary - 2023 compared to 2022

Revenues

•Total revenues increased $35.3 billion, or 10.9%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in total revenues was driven by growth across all segments.

•Please see “Segment Analysis” later in this MD&A for additional information about the revenues of the Company’s segments.

Operating expenses

•Operating expenses increased $1.6 billion, or 4.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased operating expenses to support growth in the business, operating expenses associated with Oak Street Health and Signify Health, including the amortization of acquired intangible assets, incremental investments in business operations, acquisition-related transaction and integration costs recorded in 2023 and the absence of a $250 million pre-tax gain on the sale of bswift LLC (“bswift”) and a $225 million pre-tax gain on the sale of PayFlex Holdings, Inc. (“PayFlex”) recorded in 2022. These increases were partially offset by gains from anti-trust legal settlements and the favorable impact of business initiatives in 2023.

•Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 11.1% in 2023 compared to 11.8% in 2022. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was primarily due to the increases in total revenues described above.

•Please see “Segment Analysis” later in this MD&A for additional information about the operating expenses of the Company’s segments.

Operating income

•Operating income increased $5.8 billion, or 72.8%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by the absence of $5.8 billion of opioid litigation charges recorded in 2022 and increases in the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment, primarily driven by the absence of a $2.5 billion loss on assets held for sale recorded in 2022 related to the write-down of the Company’s Omnicare® long-term care business (“LTC business”) which was partially offset by continued pharmacy reimbursement pressure and decreased COVID-19 vaccinations and diagnostic testing compared to 2022, as well as an increase in the Health Services segment. These increases in operating income were partially offset by declines in the Health Care Benefits segment, including the absence of the $250 million pre-tax gain on the sale of bswift and the $225 million pre-tax gain on the sale of PayFlex recorded in 2022, as well as the restructuring charges and acquisition-related transaction and integration costs recorded in 2023.

•Please see “Segment Analysis” later in this MD&A for additional information about the operating results of the Company’s segments.

Interest expense

•Interest expense increased $371 million, or 16.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022, due to higher debt in the year ended December 31, 2023 to fund the acquisitions of Signify Health and Oak Street Health. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” later in this report for additional information.

Income tax provision

•The Company’s effective income tax rate decreased to 25.1% in 2023 compared to 25.9% in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to the absence of certain nondeductible legal charges and basis differences on the sale of bswift and PayFlex in 2022. These decreases were partially offset by the absence of the impact of certain discrete tax items concluded in 2022.

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Outlook

The Company believes you should consider the following key business and regulatory trends and uncertainties:

Key Business Trends and Uncertainties

•Membership enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans exceeded expectations.

•Utilization, particularly in Medicare Advantage programs, persisted at elevated levels into the end of 2023. At this time, the level of continued utilization is difficult to accurately predict.

•The Company expects growth in its new Cordavis, Oak Street Health and Signify Health businesses.

•Competitive pressures in the PBM industry have caused the Company to continue to share with clients a larger portion of rebates, fees and/or discounts received from pharmaceutical manufacturers. In addition, marketplace dynamics and regulatory changes have limited the Company’s ability to offer plan sponsors pricing that includes retail network “differential” or “spread.” The Company expects these trends to continue.

•Competitive pressures in the retail pharmacy industry are increasing, resulting in aggressive generic pricing programs, the growth of discount cards and increased utilization of digital commerce.

•Future costs are influenced by a number of factors including competitive demand for products and services, legislative and regulatory considerations, and labor and other market dynamics, including inflation. We evaluate and adjust our approach in each of the markets we serve, considering all relevant factors.

•The Company expects benefits from enterprise-wide cost savings initiatives and investments in efficiencies, which aim to reduce the Company’s operating cost structure in a way that improves the consumer experience and is sustainable.

Key Regulatory Trends and Uncertainties

•The Company is exposed to funding and regulation of, and changes in government policy with respect to and/or funding or regulation of, the various Medicare programs in which the Company participates, including changes in the amounts payable to us under those programs and/or new reforms or surcharges on existing programs, including changes to applicable risk adjustment mechanisms.

•Legislation and/or regulations seeking to regulate PBM activities in a comprehensive manner have been proposed or enacted in a majority of states and on the federal level. This legislative and regulatory activity could adversely affect the Company’s ability to conduct business on commercially reasonable terms and the Company’s ability to standardize its PBM products and services across state lines.

For additional information regarding these and other trends and uncertainties, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Part I, Item 1 “Business - Government Regulation.”

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Segment Analysis

The following discussion of segment operating results is presented based on the Company’s reportable segments in accordance with the accounting guidance for segment reporting and is consistent with the segment disclosure in Note 19 ‘‘Segment Reporting’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K.

The Company has three operating segments, Health Care Benefits, Health Services and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness, as well as a Corporate/Other segment. The Company’s segments maintain separate financial information, and the CODM evaluates the segments’ operating results on a regular basis in deciding how to allocate resources among the segments and in assessing segment performance. The CODM evaluates the performance of the Company’s segments based on adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) excluding the impact of amortization of intangible assets and other items, if any, that neither relate to the ordinary course of the Company’s business nor reflect the Company’s underlying business performance. Effective for the first quarter of 2023, adjusted operating income also excludes the impact of net realized capital gains or losses. See the reconciliations of operating income (GAAP measure) to adjusted operating income below for further context regarding the items excluded from operating income in determining adjusted operating income. The Company uses adjusted operating income as its principal measure of segment performance as it enhances the Company’s ability to compare past financial performance with current performance and analyze underlying business performance and trends. Non-GAAP financial measures the Company discloses, such as consolidated adjusted operating income, should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Segment financial information for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 has been revised to conform with the current period presentation for the following items:

•The realignment of the Company’s segments to correspond with changes made to its operating model as described in Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K, including the discontinuance of the former Maintenance Choice segment reporting practice as described in Note (2) of the table included on the next page.

•The impact of the adoption of the long-duration insurance accounting standard, which the Company adopted on January 1, 2023 using a modified retrospective transition method as of January 1, 2021, as described in Note 1 “Significant Accounting Policies” included in Item 8 of this 10-K.

•The exclusion of the impact of net realized capital gains or losses from adjusted operating income, as described above.

The impact of these items on segment financial information for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is reflected in the “Adjustments” lines of the table included on the next page.

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The following is a reconciliation of financial measures of the Company’s segments to the consolidated totals:

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(1)Total revenues of the Health Services segment include approximately $13.7 billion, $12.6 billion and $11.6 billion of retail co-payments for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information about retail co-payments.

(2)Intersegment revenue eliminations relate to intersegment revenue generating activities that occur between the Health Care Benefits segment, the Health Services segment, and/or the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment. Prior to January 1, 2023, intersegment adjusted operating income eliminations occurred when members of the Health Services segment's clients enrolled in Maintenance Choice® elected to pick up maintenance prescriptions at one of the Company’s retail pharmacies instead of receiving them through the mail. When this occurred, both the Health Services and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segments recorded the adjusted operating income on a stand-alone basis. Effective January 1, 2023, the adjusted operating income associated with such transactions is reported only in the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment, therefore no adjusted operating income elimination is required. Segment financial information has been recast to reflect this change.

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The following are reconciliations of consolidated operating income (GAAP measure) to consolidated adjusted operating income, as well as reconciliations of segment GAAP operating income (loss) to segment adjusted operating income (loss):

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs (3) — — — 487 487

Restructuring charges (4) — — — 507 507

Office real estate optimization charges (5) 49 5 — (8) 46

Loss on assets held for sale (6) — — 349 — 349

Office real estate optimization charges (5) 97 2 — 18 117

Opioid litigation charges (7) — — — 5,803 5,803

Gain on divestiture of subsidiaries (8) (475) — — — (475)

Acquisition-related integration costs (3) — — — 132 132

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(1)The Company’s acquisition activities have resulted in the recognition of intangible assets as required under the acquisition method of accounting which consist primarily of trademarks, customer contracts/relationships, covenants not to compete, technology, provider networks and value of business acquired. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are tested for impairment when events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The amortization of intangible assets is reflected in the Company’s GAAP consolidated statements of operations in operating expenses within each segment. Although intangible assets contribute to the Company’s revenue generation, the amortization of intangible assets does not directly relate to the underwriting of the Company’s insurance products, the services performed for the Company’s customers or the sale of the Company’s products or services. Additionally, intangible asset amortization expense typically fluctuates based on the size and timing of the Company’s acquisition activity. Accordingly, the Company believes excluding the amortization of intangible assets enhances the Company’s and investors’ ability to compare the Company’s past financial performance with its current performance and to analyze underlying business performance and trends. Intangible asset amortization excluded from the related non-GAAP financial measure represents the entire amount recorded within the Company’s GAAP financial statements, and the revenue generated by the associated intangible assets has not been excluded from the related non-GAAP financial measure. Intangible asset amortization is excluded from the related non-GAAP financial measure because the amortization, unlike the related revenue, is

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not affected by operations of any particular period unless an intangible asset becomes impaired or the estimated useful life of an intangible asset is revised.

(2)The Company’s net realized capital gains and losses arise from various types of transactions, primarily in the course of managing a portfolio of assets that

support the payment of insurance liabilities. Net realized capital gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations in net investment income within each segment. These capital gains and losses are the result of investment decisions, market conditions and other economic developments that are unrelated to the performance of the Company’s business, and the amount and timing of these capital gains and losses do not directly relate to the underwriting of the Company’s insurance products, the services performed for the Company’s customers or the sale of the Company’s products or services. Accordingly, the Company believes excluding net realized capital gains and losses enhances the Company’s and investors’ ability to compare the Company’s past financial performance with its current performance and to analyze underlying business performance and trends.

(3)In 2023, the acquisition-related transaction and integration costs relate to the acquisitions of Signify Health and Oak Street Health. In 2021, the acquisition-related integration costs relate to the acquisition (“the Aetna Acquisition”) of Aetna Inc. (“Aetna”). The acquisition-related transaction and integration costs are reflected in the Company’s GAAP consolidated statements of operations in operating expenses within the Corporate/Other segment.

(4)In 2023, the restructuring charges are primarily comprised of severance and employee-related costs, asset impairment charges and a stock-based compensation charge. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company developed an enterprise-wide restructuring plan intended to streamline and simplify the organization, improve efficiency and reduce costs. In connection with the development of this plan and the recently completed acquisitions of Signify Health and Oak Street Health, the Company also conducted a strategic review of its various transformation initiatives and determined that it would terminate certain initiatives. The restructuring charges are reflected within the Corporate/Other segment.

(5)In 2023 and 2022, the office real estate optimization charges primarily relate to the abandonment of leased real estate and the related right-of-use assets and property and equipment in connection with the planned reduction of corporate office real estate space in response to the Company’s new flexible work arrangement. The office real estate optimization charges are reflected in the Company’s GAAP consolidated statements of operations in operating expenses within the Health Care Benefits, Corporate/Other and Health Services segments.

(6)In 2023 and 2022, the loss on assets held for sale relates to the LTC reporting unit within the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment. During 2022, the Company determined that its LTC business was no longer a strategic asset and committed to a plan to sell it, at which time the LTC business met the criteria for held-for-sale accounting and its net assets were accounted for as assets held for sale. The carrying value of the LTC business was determined to be greater than its estimated fair value less costs to sell and, accordingly, the Company recorded a loss on assets held for sale during 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, a loss on assets held for sale was recorded to write down the carrying value of the LTC business to the Company’s best estimate of the ultimate selling price which reflected its estimated fair value less costs to sell. As of September 30, 2023, the Company determined the LTC business no longer met the criteria for held-for-sale accounting and, accordingly, the net assets associated with the LTC business were reclassified to held and used at their respective fair values. During 2022, the loss on assets held for sale also relates to the Company’s international health care business domiciled in Thailand (“Thailand business”), which was included in the Commercial Business reporting unit in the Health Care Benefits segment. The sale of the Thailand business closed in the second quarter of 2022, and the ultimate loss on the sale was not material.

(7)In 2022, the opioid litigation charges relate to agreements to resolve substantially all opioid claims against the Company by certain states and governmental entities. The opioid litigation charges are reflected within the Corporate/Other segment.

(8)In 2022, the gain on divestiture of subsidiaries represents the pre-tax gain on the sale of bswift, which the Company sold in November 2022, and the pre-tax gain on the sale of PayFlex, which the Company sold in June 2022. The gains on divestitures are reflected as a reduction of operating expenses in the Company’s GAAP consolidated statement of operations within the Health Care Benefits segment.

(9)In 2021, the store impairment charge relates to the write down of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment in connection with the planned closure of approximately 900 retail stores between 2022 and 2024. The store impairment charge is reflected within the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment.

(10)In 2021, the goodwill impairment charge relates to an impairment of the remaining goodwill of the LTC reporting unit within the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment.

(11)In 2021, the Company received $61 million related to a purchase price working capital adjustment for an acquisition completed during the first quarter of 2020. The resolution of this matter occurred subsequent to the acquisition accounting measurement period and is reflected in the Company’s GAAP consolidated statement of operations as a reduction of operating expenses within the Health Care Benefits segment.

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Health Care Benefits Segment

The following table summarizes the Health Care Benefits segment’s performance for the respective periods:

Change

In millions, except percentages and basis points (“bps”) 2023 2022 2021 $ % $ %

Revenues:

Loss on assets held for sale $ — $ 41 $ — $ (41) (100.0) % $ 41 100.0 %

Operating expenses as a % of total revenues 15.3 % 15.9 % 17.0 %

Operating income as a % of total revenues 3.7 % 5.8 % 4.5 %

Adjusted operating income as a % of total revenues 5.3 % 6.9 % 6.2 %

Premium revenues (by business):

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(1)See “Segment Analysis” above in this MD&A for a reconciliation of operating income (GAAP measure) to adjusted operating income for the Health Care Benefits segment, which represents the Company’s principal measure of segment performance.

Commentary - 2023 compared to 2022

Revenues

•Total revenues increased $14.3 billion, or 15.6%, in 2023 compared to 2022 driven by growth across all product lines.

Medical Benefit Ratio

•Medical benefit ratio is calculated as health care costs divided by premium revenues and represents the percentage of premium revenues spent on medical benefits for the Company’s Insured members. Management uses MBR to assess the underlying business performance and underwriting of its insurance products, understand variances between actual results and expected results and identify trends in period-over-period results. MBR provides management and investors with information useful in assessing the operating results of the Company’s Insured Health Care Benefits products.

•The MBR increased from 83.8% to 86.2% in 2023 compared to the prior year primarily driven by increased utilization in Medicare Advantage, including outpatient and supplemental benefits, when compared with pandemic influenced utilization levels in the prior year, as well as Commercial and Medicaid trends returning to normalized levels, consistent with pricing expectations.

Loss on assets held for sale

•During 2022, the Company recorded a $41 million loss on assets held for sale on its Thailand business, which is included in the Commercial Business reporting unit within the Health Care Benefits segment. See Note 2 ‘‘Acquisitions, Divestitures and Asset Sales’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information.

Operating expenses

•Operating expenses in the Health Care Benefits segment include selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses.

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•Operating expenses increased $1.6 billion, or 11.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by increased operating expenses to support the growth across all product lines described above, incremental investments in the business, including investments in service capabilities and member experience, as well as the absence of a $250 million pre-tax gain on the sale of bswift and a $225 million pre-tax gain on the sale of PayFlex recorded in the prior year.

•Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 15.3% in 2023 compared to 15.9% in 2022. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was primarily driven by the increases in total revenues described above.

Adjusted operating income

•Adjusted operating income decreased $761 million, or 12.0%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease in adjusted operating income was primarily driven by increased utilization in Medicare Advantage when compared with pandemic influenced utilization levels in the prior year, as well as incremental investments in the business, including investments in service capabilities and member experience. These decreases were partially offset by higher net investment income in 2023 compared to 2022.

The following table summarizes the Health Care Benefits segment’s medical membership as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

In thousands Insured ASC Total Insured ASC Total

Medical membership:

Supplemental membership information:

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (standalone) 6,081 6,128

Medical Membership

•Medical membership represents the number of members covered by the Company’s Insured and ASC medical products and related services at a specified point in time. Management uses this metric to understand variances between actual medical membership and expected amounts as well as trends in period-over-period results. This metric provides management and investors with information useful in understanding the impact of medical membership on segment total revenues and operating results.

•Medical membership as of December 31, 2023 of 25.7 million increased 1.3 million members compared with December 31, 2022, reflecting increases in the Commercial and Medicare product lines, including an increase of 1.3 million members related to the individual exchange business within the Commercial product line. These increases were partially offset by a decline in the Medicaid product line, primarily attributable to the resumption of Medicaid redeterminations following the expiration of the PHE.

Medicare Update

On March 31, 2023, CMS issued its final notice detailing final 2024 Medicare Advantage payment rates. Final 2024 Medicare Advantage rates resulted in an expected average decrease in revenue for the Medicare Advantage industry of 1.12%, excluding the CMS estimate of Medicare Advantage risk score trend. On January 31, 2024, CMS issued an advance notice detailing proposed 2025 Medicare Advantage payment rates. The 2025 Medicare Advantage rates, if finalized as proposed, will result in an expected average decrease in revenue for the Medicare Advantage industry of 0.16%, excluding the CMS estimate of Medicare Advantage risk score trend. CMS intends to publish the final 2025 rate announcement no later than April 1, 2024.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ties a portion of each Medicare Advantage plan’s reimbursement to the plan’s “star ratings.” Plans must have a star rating of four or higher (out of five) to qualify for bonus payments. CMS released the Company’s 2024 star ratings in October 2023. The Company’s 2024 star ratings will be used to determine which of the Company’s Medicare Advantage plans have ratings of four stars or higher and qualify for bonus payments in 2025.

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On October 13, 2023, CMS released its 2024 star ratings for Medicare Advantage and PDPs. Based on the 2024 star ratings, which will impact total revenues in 2025, the percentage of Aetna Medicare Advantage members in 4+ star plans is expected to return to 87% based on the Company’s membership as of December 2023, as compared to the unmitigated 21% in the prior year. The main driver of this increase was a half star improvement in the Aetna National preferred provider organization (“PPO”) plan, which increased from 3.5 stars to 4.0 stars. As previously discussed, the decline in membership in 4+ star plans for payment year 2024 resulted in a mitigated 2024 headwind of approximately $800 million to $1.0 billion, which was primarily driven by the decrease of the Aetna National PPO plan from 4.5 stars to 3.5 stars. Based on the increase in membership in 4+ star plans for payment year 2025, the Company now expects to be eligible for bonus payments in 2025 that will recover the majority of the 2024 revenue decrease described above. The Company expects to prudently reinvest a portion of this net improvement into its business.

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Health Services Segment

The following table summarizes the Health Services segment’s performance for the respective periods:

Change

Revenues:

Net investment income (loss) (1) — — (1) (100.0) % — — %

Operating expenses as a % of total revenues 1.6 % 1.3 % 1.5 %

Operating income as a % of total revenues 3.7 % 3.9 % 4.1 %

Adjusted operating income as a % of total revenues 3.9 % 4.0 % 4.2 %

Revenues (by distribution channel):

Net investment income (loss) (1) — — (1) (100.0) % — — %

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(1)See “Segment Analysis” above in this MD&A for a reconciliation of operating income (GAAP measure) to adjusted operating income for the Health Services segment, which represents the Company’s principal measure of segment performance.

(2)Pharmacy network revenues relate to claims filled at retail and specialty retail pharmacies, including the Company’s retail pharmacies and LTC pharmacies. Effective January 1, 2023, pharmacy network revenues also include activity associated with Maintenance Choice, which permits eligible client plan members to fill their maintenance prescriptions through mail order delivery or at a CVS pharmacy retail store for the same price as mail order. Maintenance Choice activity was previously reflected in mail & specialty revenues. Segment financial information has been revised to reflect these changes.

(3)Mail & specialty revenues relate to specialty mail claims inclusive of Specialty Connect® claims picked up at a retail pharmacy, as well as mail order and specialty claims fulfilled by the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment. Effective January 1, 2023, mail & specialty revenues exclude Maintenance Choice activity, which is now reported within pharmacy network revenues. Segment financial information has been revised to reflect these changes.

(4)Includes an adjustment to convert 90-day prescriptions to the equivalent of three 30-day prescriptions. This adjustment reflects the fact that these prescriptions include approximately three times the amount of product days supplied compared to a normal prescription.

Commentary - 2023 compared to 2022

Revenues

•Total revenues increased $17.3 billion, or 10.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by pharmacy drug mix, growth in specialty pharmacy, brand inflation and the acquisitions of Oak Street Health and Signify Health. These increases were partially offset by continued pharmacy client price improvements.

Operating expenses

•Operating expenses in the Health Services segment include selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization expense.

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•Operating expenses increased $744 million, or 33.4%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by operating expenses associated with Oak Street Health and Signify Health, including the amortization of acquired intangible assets.

•Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to 1.6% in 2023 compared to 1.3% in 2022. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was primarily due to the increases in operating expenses associated with Oak Street Health and Signify Health.

Adjusted operating income

•Adjusted operating income increased $531 million, or 7.8%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in adjusted operating income was primarily driven by improved purchasing economics, including increased contributions from the products and services of the Company’s group purchasing organization, as well as growth in specialty pharmacy, including increased contributions from specialty generics. These increases were partially offset by continued pharmacy client price improvements.

•As you review the Health Services segment’s performance in this area, you should consider the following important information about the business:

•The Company’s efforts to (i) retain existing clients, (ii) obtain new business and (iii) maintain or improve the rebates, fees and/or discounts the Company receives from manufacturers, wholesalers and retail pharmacies continue to have an impact on adjusted operating income. In particular, competitive pressures in the PBM industry have caused the Company and other PBMs to continue to share with clients a larger portion of rebates, fees and/or discounts received from pharmaceutical manufacturers. In addition, marketplace dynamics and regulatory changes have limited the Company’s ability to offer plan sponsors pricing that includes retail network “differential” or “spread,” and the Company expects these trends to continue. The “differential” or “spread” is any difference between the drug price charged to plan sponsors, including Medicare Part D plan sponsors, by a PBM and the price paid for the drug by the PBM to the dispensing provider.

Pharmacy claims processed

•Pharmacy claims processed represents the number of prescription claims processed through the Company’s pharmacy benefits manager and dispensed by either its retail network pharmacies or the Company’s mail and specialty pharmacies. Management uses this metric to understand variances between actual claims processed and expected amounts as well as trends in period-over-period results. This metric provides management and investors with information useful in understanding the impact of pharmacy claim volume on segment total revenues and operating results.

•The Company’s pharmacy claims processed increased slightly on a 30-day equivalent basis in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily driven by net new business and increased utilization. These increases were largely offset by the impact of a Medicaid customer contract change that occurred during the second quarter of 2023 and a decrease in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Generic dispensing rate

•Generic dispensing rate is calculated by dividing the Health Services segment’s generic claims processed by its total claims processed. Management uses this metric to evaluate the effectiveness of the business at encouraging the use of generic drugs when they are available and clinically appropriate, which aids in decreasing costs for client members and retail customers. This metric provides management and investors with information useful in understanding trends in segment total revenues and operating results.

•The Health Services segment’s generic dispensing rate increased to 87.6% in 2023 compared to 87.4% in the prior year. The increase in the segment’s generic dispensing rate was primarily driven by a decrease in COVID-19 vaccinations in 2023 compared to 2022, largely offset by an increase in glucagon-like peptide 1 (“GLP-1”) pharmacy claims in 2023 compared to 2022. Excluding the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations, the segment’s generic dispensing rate was 87.9% and 88.3% in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness Segment

The following table summarizes the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment’s performance for the respective periods:

Change

Revenues:

Operating expenses as a % of total revenues 16.8 % 18.9 % 19.4 %

Operating income as a % of total revenues 4.6 % 3.3 % 4.9 %

Adjusted operating income as a % of total revenues 5.1 % 6.0 % 7.1 %

Revenues (by major goods/service lines):

Same store sales increase: (3)

Prescription volume (2) 3.9 % 4.0 % 9.3 %

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(1)See “Segment Analysis” above in this MD&A for a reconciliation of operating income (GAAP measure) to adjusted operating income for the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment, which represents the Company’s principal measure of segment performance.

(2)Includes an adjustment to convert 90‐day prescriptions to the equivalent of three 30‐day prescriptions. This adjustment reflects the fact that these prescriptions include approximately three times the amount of product days supplied compared to a normal prescription.

(3)Same store sales and prescription volume represent the change in revenues and prescriptions filled in the Company’s retail pharmacy stores that have been operating for greater than one year, expressed as a percentage that indicates the increase or decrease relative to the comparable prior period. Same store metrics exclude revenues and prescriptions from LTC and infusion services operations. Effective January 1, 2023, same store sales also include digital sales initiated online or through mobile applications and fulfilled through the Company’s distribution centers. Segment financial information has been revised to reflect these changes. Management uses these metrics to evaluate the performance of existing stores on a comparable basis and to inform future decisions regarding existing stores and new locations. Same-store metrics provide management and investors with information useful in understanding the portion of current revenues and prescriptions resulting from organic growth in existing locations versus the portion resulting from opening new stores.

Commentary - 2023 compared to 2022

Revenues

•Total revenues increased $8.2 billion, or 7.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by pharmacy drug mix, increased prescription volume, brand inflation and increased contributions from vaccinations. These increases

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were partially offset by the impact of recent generic introductions, continued pharmacy reimbursement pressure, a decrease in store count and decreased contributions from COVID-19 OTC test kits and diagnostic testing.

•Pharmacy same store sales increased 13.6% in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by pharmacy drug mix, the 3.9% increase in pharmacy same store prescription volume on a 30-day equivalent basis and brand inflation. These increases were partially offset by the impact of recent generic introductions and continued pharmacy reimbursement pressure.

•Front store same store sales increased slightly in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily driven by increased beauty and personal care product sales, largely offset by decreased sales of COVID-19 OTC test kits and general merchandise.

•Other revenues decreased 7.6% in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease was primarily due to decreased COVID-19 diagnostic testing in 2023 compared to the prior year.

Loss on assets held for sale

•During 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded losses on assets held for sale of $349 million and $2.5 billion, respectively, related to the write-down of its LTC business. See Note 2 ‘‘Acquisitions, Divestitures and Asset Sales’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information.

Operating expenses

•Operating expenses in the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment include payroll, employee benefits and occupancy costs associated with the segment’s stores and pharmacy fulfillment operations; selling expenses; advertising expenses; depreciation and amortization expense and certain administrative expenses.

•Operating expenses decreased $863 million, or 4.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in store count, lower expenses associated with COVID-19 vaccination administration compared to the prior year, gains from anti-trust legal settlements recorded in 2023 and a decrease in intangible asset amortization expense.

•Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 16.8% in 2023 compared to 18.9% in 2022. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was primarily driven by the increases in total revenues and decreases in operating expenses described above.

Adjusted operating income

•Adjusted operating income decreased $568 million, or 8.7%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease in adjusted operating income was primarily driven by continued pharmacy reimbursement pressure and decreased COVID-19 vaccinations and diagnostic testing. These decreases were partially offset by increased prescription volume, improved generic drug purchasing and lower operating expenses in 2023.

•As you review the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment’s performance in this area, you should consider the following important information about the business:

•The segment’s adjusted operating income has been adversely affected by the efforts of managed care organizations, PBMs and governmental and other third-party payors to reduce their prescription drug costs, including the use of restrictive networks, as well as changes in the mix of business within the pharmacy portion of the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment. If the pharmacy reimbursement pressure accelerates, the segment may not be able to grow revenues, and its adjusted operating income could be adversely affected.

•The increased use of generic drugs has positively impacted the segment’s adjusted operating income but has resulted in third-party payors augmenting their efforts to reduce reimbursement payments to retail pharmacies for prescriptions. This trend, which the Company expects to continue, reduces the benefit the segment realizes from brand-to-generic drug conversions.

Prescriptions filled

•Prescriptions filled represents the number of prescriptions dispensed through the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment’s retail and long-term care pharmacies and infusion services operations. Management uses this metric to understand variances between actual prescriptions dispensed and expected amounts as well as trends in period-over-period results. This metric provides management and investors with information useful in understanding the impact of prescription volume on segment total revenues and operating results.

•Prescriptions filled increased 1.5% on a 30-day equivalent basis in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily driven by increased utilization, partially offset by a decrease in COVID-19 vaccinations and the decrease in store count. Excluding the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations, prescriptions filled increased 2.5% on a 30-day equivalent basis in 2023 compared to 2022.

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Generic dispensing rate

•Generic dispensing rate is calculated by dividing the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment’s generic drug prescriptions filled by its total prescriptions filled. Management uses this metric to evaluate the effectiveness of the business at encouraging the use of generic drugs when they are available and clinically appropriate, which aids in decreasing costs for client members and retail customers. This metric provides management and investors with information useful in understanding trends in segment total revenues and operating results.

•The Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment’s generic dispensing rate increased to 88.4% in 2023 compared to 87.4% in the prior year. The increase in the segment’s generic dispensing rate was primarily driven by a decrease in COVID-19 vaccinations in 2023 compared to 2022, largely offset by an increase in GLP-1 pharmacy claims in 2023 compared to 2022. Excluding the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations, the segment’s total generic dispensing rate was 89.0% in both 2023 and 2022.

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Corporate/Other Segment

The following table summarizes the Corporate/Other segment’s performance for the respective periods:

Change

Revenues:

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(1)See “Segment Analysis” above in this MD&A for a reconciliation of Corporate/Other segment operating loss (GAAP measure) to adjusted operating loss, which represents the Company’s principal measure of segment performance.

Commentary - 2023 compared to 2022

Revenues

•Revenues primarily relate to products for which the Company no longer solicits or accepts new customers, such as large case pensions and long-term care insurance products.

•Total revenues decreased $79 million, or 14.9%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in services revenues as well as a decline in net investment income, which decreased due to increased realized capital losses in 2023 compared to 2022, partially offset by favorable average investment yields in 2023 compared to 2022.

Restructuring charges

•During 2023, the Company recorded $507 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, comprised of $344 million of severance and employee-related costs associated with corporate workforce optimization, $152 million of asset impairment charges and an $11 million stock-based compensation charge associated with the impacted employees. See Note 3 ‘‘Restructuring Program’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information.

Opioid litigation charges

•During 2022, the Company recorded $5.8 billion of opioid litigation charges. See Note 18 ‘‘Commitments and Contingencies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information.

Adjusted operating loss

•Adjusted operating loss decreased $295 million, or 18.3%, in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily driven by decreased operating expenses associated with the termination of certain transformation initiatives.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

The Company maintains a level of liquidity sufficient to allow it to meet its cash needs in the short-term. Over the long term, the Company manages its cash and capital structure to maximize shareholder return, maintain its financial condition and maintain flexibility for future strategic initiatives. The Company continuously assesses its regulatory capital requirements, working capital needs, debt and leverage levels, debt maturity schedule, capital expenditure requirements, dividend payouts, potential share repurchases and future investments or acquisitions. The Company believes its operating cash flows, commercial paper program, credit facilities, as well as any potential future borrowings, will be sufficient to fund these future payments and long-term initiatives. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $8.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, approximately $735 million of which was held by the parent company or nonrestricted subsidiaries.

The net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:

Change

Commentary - 2023 compared to 2022

•Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $2.8 billion in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the timing of payments and receipts, partially offset by lower inventory purchases.

•Net cash used in investing activities increased by $15.8 billion in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the acquisitions of Oak Street Health in May 2023 and Signify Health in March 2023. In addition, cash used in investing activities reflected the following activity:

•Gross capital expenditures remained relatively consistent at approximately $3.0 billion and $2.7 billion in 2023 and 2022, respectively. During 2023, approximately 74% of the Company’s total capital expenditures were for technology, digital and other strategic initiatives and 26% were for store, fulfillment and support facilities expansion and improvements.

•Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.7 billion in 2023 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $10.5 billion in 2022. The change in cash provided by (used in) financing activities primarily related to proceeds from the issuance of approximately $10.9 billion of long-term senior notes in 2023 and reflects lower repayments of long-term debt and lower share repurchases in 2023 compared to the prior year.

Included in net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was the following store development activity: (1)

New and acquired stores (2) 39 41 58

Relocated stores (2) 5 4 17

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(1)Includes retail drugstores and pharmacies within retail chains, primarily in Target Corporation (“Target”) stores.

(2)Relocated stores are not included in new and acquired stores or closed stores totals.

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Short-term Borrowings

Commercial Paper and Back-up Credit Facilities

The Company had $200 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 4.31% as of December 31, 2023. The Company did not have any commercial paper outstanding as of December 31, 2022. In connection with its commercial paper program, the Company maintains a $2.5 billion, five-year unsecured back-up revolving credit facility, which expires on May 16, 2025, a $2.5 billion, five-year unsecured back-up revolving credit facility, which expires on May 11, 2026, and a $2.5 billion, five-year unsecured back-up revolving credit facility, which expires on May 16, 2027. The credit facilities allow for borrowings at various rates that are dependent, in part, on the Company’s public debt ratings and require the Company to pay a weighted average quarterly facility fee of approximately 0.03%, regardless of usage. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no borrowings outstanding under any of the Company’s back-up credit facilities.

Term Loan Agreement

On May 1, 2023, the Company entered into a 364-day $5.0 billion term loan agreement. The term loan agreement allows for borrowings at various rates that are dependent, in part, on the Company’s debt ratings. On May 2, 2023, the Company borrowed $5.0 billion at an interest rate of approximately 6.2% under the term loan agreement to fund a portion of the Oak Street Health acquisition purchase price. On June 2, 2023, the Company repaid the outstanding balance under the term loan agreement.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”)

A subsidiary of the Company is a member of the FHLBB. As a member, the subsidiary has the ability to obtain cash advances, subject to certain minimum collateral requirements. The maximum borrowing capacity available from the FHLBB as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $1.0 billion. At both December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no outstanding advances from the FHLBB.

Long-term Borrowings

2023 Notes

On June 2, 2023, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.0% senior notes due January 2029, $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due January 2031, $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.3% senior notes due June 2033, $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due June 2053 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% senior notes due June 2063 for total proceeds of approximately $4.9 billion, net of discounts and underwriting fees. The net proceeds of these offerings were used, along with cash on hand, to repay the outstanding balance under the term loan agreement described above.

On February 21, 2023, the Company issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.0% senior notes due February 2026, $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2030, $1.75 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due February 2033 and $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due February 2053 for total proceeds of approximately $6.0 billion, net of discounts and underwriting fees. The net proceeds of these offerings were used to fund general corporate purposes, including a portion of the Signify Health acquisition purchase price.

Oak Street Health Convertible Notes

Prior to the Oak Street Health acquisition, Oak Street Health held 0% convertible senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $920 million (the “Convertible Notes”), which were assumed by the Company in connection with the Oak Street Health acquisition. The Oak Street Health acquisition constituted a fundamental change in the Convertible Notes giving the holders the right to require the Company to repurchase the Convertible Notes. The repurchase price was an amount in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes. On May 31, 2023, the Company issued a notice of repurchase to the holders of the Convertible Notes. In connection with this notice, $917 million of the Convertible Notes were submitted for repurchase and settled on July 21, 2023. Substantially all of the remaining $3 million of the Convertible Notes were submitted for repurchase and settled on October 20, 2023.

Exercise of Par Call Redemptions

In May 2022, the Company exercised the par call redemption on its outstanding 3.5% senior notes due July 2022 to redeem for cash on hand the entire $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount.

In August 2022, the Company exercised the par call redemption on its outstanding 2.75% senior notes due November 2022 (issued by Aetna) to redeem for cash on hand the entire $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount.

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In September 2022, the Company exercised the par call redemptions on its outstanding 2.75% senior notes due December 2022 and 4.75% senior notes due December 2022 (including notes issued by Omnicare, Inc.) to redeem for cash on hand the entire aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion and $399 million, respectively.

Early Extinguishments of Debt

In December 2021, the Company redeemed for cash the remaining $2.3 billion of its outstanding 3.7% senior notes due 2023. In connection with the early redemption of such senior notes, the Company paid a make-whole premium of $80 million in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the senior notes that were redeemed, wrote-off $8 million of unamortized deferred financing costs and incurred $1 million in fees, for a total loss on early extinguishment of debt of $89 million.

In August 2021, the Company purchased approximately $2.0 billion of its outstanding 4.3% senior notes due 2028 through a cash tender offer. In connection with the purchase of such senior notes, the Company paid a premium of $332 million in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the senior notes that were purchased, wrote-off $26 million of unamortized deferred financing costs and incurred $5 million in fees, for a total loss on early extinguishment of debt of $363 million.

See Note 10 ‘‘Borrowings and Credit Agreements’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information about debt issuances and debt repayments.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments in order to manage interest rate and foreign exchange risk and credit exposure. The Company’s use of these derivatives is generally limited to hedging risk and has principally consisted of using interest rate swaps, treasury rate locks, forward contracts, futures contracts, warrants, put options and credit default swaps.

Debt Covenants

The Company’s back-up revolving credit facilities and unsecured senior notes (see Note 10 ‘‘Borrowings and Credit Agreements’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K) contain customary restrictive financial and operating covenants. These covenants do not include an acceleration of the Company’s debt maturities in the event of a downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings. The Company does not believe the restrictions contained in these covenants materially affect its financial or operating flexibility. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

Debt Ratings

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s long-term debt was rated “Baa2” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and “BBB” by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”), and its commercial paper program was rated “P-2” by Moody’s and “A-2” by S&P. The outlook on the Company’s long-term debt is “Stable” by both Moody’s and S&P. In assessing the Company’s credit strength, the Company believes that both Moody’s and S&P considered, among other things, the Company’s capital structure and financial policies as well as its consolidated balance sheet, its historical acquisition activity and other financial information. Although the Company currently believes its long-term debt ratings will remain investment grade, it cannot guarantee the future actions of Moody’s and/or S&P. The Company’s debt ratings have a direct impact on its future borrowing costs, access to capital markets and new store operating lease costs.

Share Repurchase Programs

The following share repurchase programs have been authorized by CVS Health Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”):

The following share repurchase programs have been authorized by the Board:

In billionsAuthorization Date Authorized Remaining as ofDecember 31, 2023

Each of the share Repurchase Programs was effective immediately and permit the Company to effect repurchases from time to time through a combination of open market repurchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) transactions, and/or other derivative transactions. Both the 2022 and 2021 Repurchase Programs can be modified or terminated by the Board at any time.

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During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 22.8 million shares of common stock for approximately $2.0 billion and an aggregate of 34.1 million shares of common stock for approximately $3.5 billion, respectively, both pursuant to the 2021 Repurchase Program. This activity includes the share repurchases under the ASR transactions described below. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock.

Pursuant to the authorization under the 2021 Repurchase Program, the Company entered into a $3.0 billion fixed dollar ASR with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Upon payment of the $3.0 billion purchase price on January 4, 2024, the Company received a number of shares of CVS Health Corporation’s common stock equal to 85% of the $3.0 billion notional amount of the ASR or approximately 31.4 million shares at a price of $81.19 per share, which were placed into treasury stock in January 2024. At the conclusion of the ASR, the Company may receive additional shares representing the remaining 15% of the $3.0 billion notional amount. The ultimate number of shares the Company may receive will depend on the daily volume-weighted average price of the Company’s stock over an averaging period, less a discount. It is also possible, depending on such weighted average price, that the Company will have an obligation to Morgan Stanley which, at the Company’s option, could be settled in additional cash or by issuing shares. Under the terms of the ASR, the maximum number of shares that could be delivered to the Company is 73.9 million.

Pursuant to the authorization under the 2021 Repurchase Program, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion fixed dollar ASR with Citibank, N.A. Upon payment of the $2.0 billion purchase price on January 4, 2023, the Company received a number of shares of CVS Health Corporation’s common stock equal to 80% of the $2.0 billion notional amount of the ASR or approximately 17.4 million shares at a price of $92.19 per share, which were placed into treasury stock in January 2023. The ASR was accounted for as an initial treasury stock transaction for $1.6 billion and a forward contract for $0.4 billion. The forward contract was classified as an equity instrument and was recorded within capital surplus. In February 2023, the Company received approximately 5.4 million shares of CVS Health Corporation’s common stock, representing the remaining 20% of the $2.0 billion notional amount of the ASR, thereby concluding the ASR. These shares were placed into treasury and the forward contract was reclassified from capital surplus to treasury stock in February 2023.

Pursuant to the authorization under the 2021 Repurchase Program, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion fixed dollar ASR with Barclays Bank PLC. Upon payment of the $1.5 billion purchase price on January 4, 2022, the Company received a number of shares of CVS Health Corporation’s common stock equal to 80% of the $1.5 billion notional amount of the ASR or approximately 11.6 million shares at a price of $103.34 per share, which were placed into treasury stock in January 2022. The ASR was accounted for as an initial treasury stock transaction for $1.2 billion and a forward contract for $0.3 billion. The forward contract was classified as an equity instrument and was recorded within capital surplus. In February 2022, the Company received approximately 2.7 million shares of CVS Health Corporation’s common stock, representing the remaining 20% of the $1.5 billion notional amount of the ASR, thereby concluding the ASR. These shares were placed into treasury stock and the forward contract was reclassified from capital surplus to treasury stock in February 2022.

At the time they were received, the initial and final receipt of shares resulted in an immediate reduction of the outstanding shares used to calculate the weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share.

Dividends

During 2023, 2022 and 2021 the quarterly cash dividend was $0.605, $0.55 and $0.50 per share, respectively. In December 2023, the Board authorized an increase of approximately 10% in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.665 per share effective in 2024. CVS Health Corporation has paid cash dividends every quarter since becoming a public company. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the Board.

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Future Cash Requirements

The following table summarizes certain estimated future cash requirements under the Company’s various contractual obligations at December 31, 2023, in total and disaggregated into current and long-term obligations. The table below does not include future payments of claims to health care providers or pharmacies because certain terms of these payments are not determinable at December 31, 2023 (for example, the timing and volume of future services provided under fee-for-service arrangements and future membership levels for capitated arrangements).

In millions Total Current Long-Term

Contractual lease obligations with Target (2) 2,086 — 2,086

Other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets (5)

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(1)Refer to Note 7 ‘‘Leases’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information regarding the maturity of lease liabilities under operating and finance leases.

(2)The Company leases pharmacy and clinic space from Target. See Note 7 ‘‘Leases’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information regarding the lease arrangements with Target. Amounts related to such operating and finance leases are reflected within the operating lease liabilities and finance lease liabilities in the table above. Pharmacy lease amounts due in excess of the remaining estimated economic life of the buildings are reflected in the table above assuming equivalent stores continue to operate through the term of the arrangements.

(3)Refer to Note 10 ‘‘Borrowings and Credit Agreements’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information regarding the maturities of debt principal and commercial paper borrowings. Interest payments on long-term debt are calculated using outstanding balances and interest rates in effect on December 31, 2023.

(4)Refer to Note 18 ‘‘Commitments and Contingencies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information regarding the opioid litigation settlement agreements.

(5)Payments of other long-term liabilities exclude Separate Accounts liabilities of approximately $3.3 billion because these liabilities are supported by assets that are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of the Company’s business.

(6)Total payments of future policy benefits, unpaid claims and policyholders’ funds include $614 million, $1.1 billion and $152 million, respectively, of reserves for contracts subject to reinsurance. The Company expects the assuming reinsurance carrier to fund these obligations and has reflected these amounts as reinsurance recoverable assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

(7)Customer funds associated with group life and health contracts of approximately $58 million have been excluded from the table above because such funds may be used primarily at the customer’s discretion to offset future premiums and/or for refunds, and the timing of the related cash flows cannot be determined. Additionally, net unrealized capital losses on debt securities supporting experience-rated products of $18 million, before tax, have been excluded from the table above.

Restrictions on Certain Payments

In addition to general state law restrictions on payments of dividends and other distributions to stockholders applicable to all corporations, health maintenance organizations (“HMOs”) and insurance companies are subject to further regulations that, among other things, may require those companies to maintain certain levels of equity (referred to as surplus) and restrict the amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to their equity holders. These regulations are not directly applicable to CVS Health Corporation as a holding company, since CVS Health Corporation is not an HMO or an insurance company. In addition, in connection with the Aetna Acquisition, the Company made certain undertakings that require prior regulatory approval of dividends by certain of its HMOs and insurance companies. The additional regulations and undertakings applicable to the Company’s HMO and insurance company subsidiaries are not expected to affect the Company’s ability to service the Company’s debt, meet other financing obligations or pay dividends, or the ability of any of the Company’s subsidiaries to service their debt or other financing obligations. Under applicable regulatory requirements and undertakings, at December 31, 2023, the maximum amount of dividends that may be paid by the Company’s insurance and HMO subsidiaries without prior approval by regulatory authorities was $3.1 billion in the aggregate.

The Company maintains capital levels in its operating subsidiaries at or above targeted and/or required capital levels and dividends amounts in excess of these levels to meet liquidity requirements, including the payment of interest on debt and

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stockholder dividends. In addition, at the Company’s discretion, it uses these funds for other purposes such as funding share and debt repurchase programs, investments in new businesses and other purposes considered advisable.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held investments of $307 million and $331 million, respectively, that are not accounted for as Separate Accounts assets but are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of the Company’s business. See Note 4 ‘‘Investments’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information on investments related to the 2012 conversion of an existing group annuity contract from a participating to a non-participating contract.

Solvency Regulation

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC”) utilizes risk-based capital (“RBC”) standards for insurance companies that are designed to identify weakly-capitalized companies by comparing each company’s adjusted surplus to its required surplus (the “RBC Ratio”). The RBC Ratio is designed to reflect the risk profile of insurance companies. Within certain ratio ranges, regulators have increasing authority to take action as the RBC Ratio decreases. There are four levels of regulatory action, ranging from requiring an insurer to submit a comprehensive financial plan for increasing its RBC to the state insurance commissioner to requiring the state insurance commissioner to place the insurer under regulatory control. At December 31, 2023, all of the Company’s insurance and HMO subsidiaries were either above the RBC level that would require regulatory action or otherwise subject to an agreement to avoid any regulatory action. The RBC framework described above for insurers has been extended by the NAIC to health organizations, including HMOs. Although not all states had adopted these rules at December 31, 2023, at that date each of the Company’s active HMOs had a surplus that exceeded either the applicable state net worth requirements or, where adopted, the levels that would require regulatory action under the NAIC’s RBC rules, or were otherwise subject to an agreement to avoid any regulatory action. External rating agencies use their own capital models and/or RBC standards when they determine a company’s rating.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The Company prepares the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make certain estimates and apply judgment. Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be important at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, the Company reviews its accounting policies and how they are applied and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. While the Company believes the historical experience, current trends and other factors considered by management support the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, actual results could differ from estimates, and such differences could be material.

Significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K. Management believes the following accounting policies include a higher degree of judgment and/or complexity and, thus, are considered to be critical accounting policies. The Company has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”), and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures relating to them.

Revenue Recognition

Health Care Benefits Segment

Health Care Benefits revenue is principally derived from insurance premiums and fees billed to customers. Revenue related to the Company’s Government business is collected monthly from the U.S. federal government and various government agencies based on fixed payment rates and member eligibility.

Some of the Company’s Government contracts allow for premiums to be adjusted to reflect actual experience or the relative health status of Insured members. Such adjustments are reasonably estimable at the outset of the contract, and adjustments to those estimates are made based on actual experience of the customer emerging under the contract and the terms of the underlying contract.

Health Services Segment

The Health Services segment sells prescription drugs directly through its specialty and mail order pharmacy offerings and indirectly through the Company’s retail pharmacy network. The Company’s pharmacy benefit arrangements are accounted for in a manner consistent with a master supply arrangement as there are no contractual minimum volumes and each prescription is considered a separate purchasing decision and distinct performance obligation transferred at a point in time. PBM services performed in connection with each prescription claim are considered part of a single performance obligation which culminates in the fulfillment of prescription drugs.

The Company recognizes revenue using the gross method at the contract price negotiated with its clients when the Company has concluded it controls the prescription drug before it is transferred to the client plan members. The Company controls prescriptions fulfilled indirectly through its retail pharmacy network because it has separate contractual arrangements with those pharmacies, has discretion in setting the price for the transaction and assumes primary responsibility for fulfilling the promise to provide prescription drugs to its client plan members while also performing the related PBM services.

Revenues include (i) the portion of the price the client pays directly to the Company, net of any discounts earned on brand name drugs or other discounts and refunds paid back to the client, (ii) the price paid to the Company by client plan members for mail order prescriptions and the price paid to retail network pharmacies by client plan members for retail prescriptions, and (iii) claims based administrative fees for retail pharmacy network contracts. Sales taxes are not included in revenues.

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the prescription drugs is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those prescription drugs. The Company has established the following revenue recognition policies for the Health Services segment:

•Revenues generated from prescription drugs sold by third party pharmacies in the Company’s retail pharmacy network and associated administrative fees are recognized at the Company’s point-of-sale, which is when the claim is adjudicated by the Company’s online claims processing system and the Company has transferred control of the prescription drug and completed all of its performance obligations.

•Revenues generated from prescription drugs sold by specialty and mail order pharmacies are recognized when the prescription drug is delivered to the client plan member. At the time of delivery, the Company has performed substantially

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all of its performance obligations under its client contracts and does not experience a significant level of returns or reshipments.

For contracts under which the Company acts as an agent or does not control the prescription drugs prior to transfer to the client plan member, revenue is recognized using the net method.

Drug Discounts

The Company records revenue net of manufacturers’ rebates earned by its clients based on their plan members’ utilization of brand-name formulary drugs. The Company estimates these rebates at period-end based on actual and estimated claims data and its estimates of the manufacturers’ rebates earned by its clients. The estimates are based on the best available data at period-end and recent history for the various factors that can affect the amount of rebates due to the client. The Company adjusts its rebates payable to clients to the actual amounts paid when these rebates are paid or as significant events occur. Any cumulative effect of these adjustments is recorded against revenues at the time it is identified. Adjustments generally result from contract changes with clients or manufacturers that have retroactive rebate adjustments, differences between the estimated and actual product mix subject to rebates, or whether the brand name drug was included in the applicable formulary. The effect of adjustments between estimated and actual manufacturers’ rebate amounts has not been material to the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

Impairments of Debt Securities

The Company regularly reviews its debt securities to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis or carrying value has occurred. If a debt security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the amortized cost basis of the security is written down to its fair value and the difference is recognized in net income. If a debt security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company does not have the intent to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell such security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company bifurcates the impairment into credit-related and non-credit related (yield-related) components. The amount of the credit-related component is recorded as an allowance for credit losses and recognized in net income, and the amount of the non-credit related component is included in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company analyzes all facts and circumstances believed to be relevant for each investment when performing this analysis, in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.

In evaluating whether a credit related loss exists, the Company considers a variety of factors including: the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis; adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of a security, an industry or geographic area; the payment structure of the security; the failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principle payments; and any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency.

Among the factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis or carrying value has occurred are whether the decline results from a change in the quality of the debt security itself, whether the decline results from a downward movement in the market as a whole, and the prospects for realizing the carrying value of the debt security based on the investment’s current and short-term prospects for recovery. For unrealized losses determined to be the result of market conditions (for example, increasing interest rates and volatility due to conditions in the overall market) or industry-related events, the Company determines whether it intends to sell the debt security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery of the debt security’s amortized cost basis. If either case is true, the Company recognizes a non-credit related impairment, and the cost basis or carrying amount of the debt security is written down to fair value.

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded yield-related impairment losses on debt securities of $152 million, $143 million and $42 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company recorded credit-related losses on debt securities of $3 million and $13 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not record any credit-related impairment losses on debt securities.

The risks inherent in assessing the impairment of a debt security include the risk that market factors may differ from projections and the risk that facts and circumstances factored into the Company’s assessment may change with the passage of time. Unexpected changes to market factors and circumstances that were not present in past reporting periods are among the factors that may result in a current period decision to sell debt securities that were not impaired in prior reporting periods.

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Inventory

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the weighted average cost method.

The value of ending inventory is reduced for estimated inventory losses that have occurred during the interim period between physical inventory counts. Physical inventory counts are taken on a regular basis in each retail store and pharmacy, and a continuous cycle count process is the primary procedure used to validate the inventory balances on hand in each distribution center and mail facility to ensure that the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements are properly stated. The Company’s accounting for inventory contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate the inventory losses that have occurred during the interim period between physical inventory counts. When estimating these losses, a number of factors are considered which include historical physical inventory results on a location-by-location basis and current physical inventory loss trends.

The total reserve for estimated inventory losses covered by this critical accounting policy was $607 million and $559 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Although management believes there is sufficient current and historical information available to record reasonable estimates for estimated inventory losses, it is possible that actual results could differ. In order to help investors assess the aggregate risk, if any, associated with the inventory-related uncertainties discussed above, a ten percent (10%) pre-tax change in estimated inventory losses, which is a reasonably likely change, would increase or decrease the total reserve for estimated inventory losses by approximately $61 million as of December 31, 2023.

Although management believes that the estimates discussed above are reasonable and the related calculations conform to generally accepted accounting principles, actual results could differ from such estimates, and such differences could be material.

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets

Recoverability of Definite-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are tested for impairment using separate tests described below, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such an asset may not be recoverable. The Company groups and evaluates these long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. If indicators of impairment are present, the Company first compares the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset group (undiscounted). If the estimated future cash flows used in this analysis are less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss calculation is prepared. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying amount of the asset group to the asset group’s estimated future cash flows (discounted). If required, an impairment loss is recorded for the portion of the asset group’s carrying value that exceeds the asset group’s estimated future cash flows (discounted).

The long-lived asset impairment loss calculation contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate each asset group’s future sales, profitability and cash flows. When preparing these estimates, the Company considers historical results and current operating trends and consolidated sales, profitability and cash flow results and forecasts. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including general economic and regulatory conditions, efforts of third party organizations to reduce their prescription drug costs and/or increased member co-payments, the continued efforts of competitors to gain market share and consumer spending patterns.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company undertook an initiative to evaluate its corporate office real estate space in response to its new flexible work arrangement. As part of this initiative, the Company evaluated its current real estate space and changes in employee work arrangement requirements to ensure it had the appropriate space to support the business. As a result of this assessment, the Company determined that it would vacate and abandon certain leased corporate office spaces. Accordingly, in the three months ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded office real estate optimization charges of $117 million, primarily consisting of $71 million related to operating lease right-of-use assets and $44 million related to property and equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an incremental $46 million of office real estate optimization charges associated with this initiative, primarily consisting of $20 million related to operating lease right-of-use assets and $18 million related to property and equipment. The office real estate optimization charges were recorded within the Health Care Benefits, Corporate/Other and Health Services segments.

During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company completed a strategic review of its retail business and announced the creation of new formats for its stores to continue to drive higher engagement with customers. As part of this review, the Company evaluated changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs to ensure it has the right kinds of stores in

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the right locations for consumers and for the business. In connection with this initiative, on November 17, 2021, the Board authorized the closing of approximately 900 retail stores, approximately 300 stores each year, between 2022 and 2024. As a result, management determined that there were indicators of impairment with respect to the impacted stores’ asset groups, including the associated operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment. A long-lived asset impairment test was performed during the fourth quarter of 2021 and the results of the impairment test indicated that the fair value of certain retail store asset groups was lower than their respective carrying values. Accordingly, in the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a store impairment charge of approximately $1.4 billion, consisting of a write down of approximately $1.1 billion related to operating lease right-of-use assets and $261 million related to property and equipment, within the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment.

Recoverability of Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of amounts paid for acquisitions over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment reviews, or more frequent reviews if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment on a reporting unit basis. The impairment test is performed by comparing the reporting unit’s fair value with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting units is estimated using a combination of a discounted cash flow method and a market multiple method. If the net book value (carrying amount) of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the reporting unit’s goodwill is considered to be impaired, and an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

The determination of the fair value of the reporting units requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates. These assumptions and estimates primarily include the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums and valuation multiples appropriate for acquisitions in the industries in which the Company competes; discount rates; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, capital expenditures and future working capital requirements. When determining these assumptions and preparing these estimates, the Company considers each reporting unit’s historical results and current operating trends; consolidated revenues, profitability and cash flow results and forecasts; and industry trends. The Company’s estimates can be affected by a number of factors, including general economic and regulatory conditions; the risk-free interest rate environment; the Company’s market capitalization; efforts of customers and payers to reduce costs, including their prescription drug costs, and/or increase member co-payments; the continued efforts of competitors to gain market share, consumer spending patterns and the Company’s ability to achieve its revenue growth projections and execute on its cost reduction initiatives.

Effective for the 2023 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company elected to change its annual goodwill impairment test date from August 31st to October 31st to better align with its annual budgeting processes, as its previous election predated large acquisitions such as Caremark Rx, Inc. and Aetna.

2023 Goodwill Impairment Test

Prior to the Company’s 2023 goodwill impairment test, the most recent goodwill impairment test was performed as of January 1, 2023, in connection with the segment realignment previously described in Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company performed its required annual impairment test of goodwill. The results of the impairment tests indicated that there was no impairment of goodwill as of the testing date. The fair values of the reporting units with goodwill exceeded their carrying values by significant margins, with the exception of the Health Care Delivery reporting unit, which exceeded its carrying value by approximately 9%.

In connection with its new operating model adopted in the first quarter of 2023, the Company formed a new Health Care Delivery reporting unit within the Health Services segment. The Health Care Delivery reporting unit is primarily comprised of the Signify Health and Oak Street Health care delivery assets, which were acquired on March 29, 2023 and May 2, 2023, respectively. These transactions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting which requires, among other things, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recognized at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Given the close proximity of the acquisition dates to the 2023 annual impairment test of goodwill, as expected, the fair value of these two businesses and, therefore, of the Health Care Delivery reporting unit, remained relatively in line with the carrying value of the reporting unit. This fair value estimate is sensitive to significant assumptions including the revenue growth rate, operating income and the discount rate.

2022 Goodwill Impairment Test

During the third quarter of 2022, the Company performed its required annual impairment test of goodwill. The results of the impairment tests indicated that there was no impairment of goodwill as of the testing date. The fair values of the reporting units with goodwill exceeded their carrying values by significant margins.

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2021 Goodwill Impairment Test

During the third quarter of 2021, the Company performed its required annual impairment tests of goodwill. The results of the impairment tests indicated an impairment of the goodwill associated with the LTC reporting unit, as the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeded its fair value as of the testing date. The results of the impairment tests of the remaining reporting units indicated that there was no impairment of goodwill as of the testing date. The fair values of the reporting units with goodwill exceeded their carrying values by significant margins, with the exception of the Commercial Business reporting unit, which exceeded its carrying value by approximately 3%.

As discussed in Note 6 ‘‘Goodwill and Other Intangibles’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K, during 2021, the LTC reporting unit continued to face challenges that impacted the Company’s ability to grow the LTC reporting unit’s business at the rate estimated when its 2020 goodwill impairment test was performed. These challenges included lower net facility admissions, net long-term care facility customer losses and the prolonged adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emerging new variants, which resulted in more significant declines in occupancy rates experienced by the Company’s long-term care facility customers than previously anticipated. During the third quarter of 2021, LTC management updated their 2021 annual forecast and submitted their long-term plan which showed deterioration in the financial results for the remainder of 2021 and beyond. The Company utilized these updated projections in performing its annual impairment test, which indicated that the fair value of the LTC reporting unit was lower than its carrying value, resulting in a $431 million goodwill impairment charge in the third quarter of 2021. The fair value of the LTC reporting unit was determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow method and a market multiple method. Subsequent to the impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2021, there was no remaining goodwill balance in the LTC reporting unit.

Recoverability of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to annual impairment reviews, or more frequent reviews if events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized, and the asset is written down to its estimated fair value.

The indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment loss calculation contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate fair value based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership of an intangible asset, the Company would be willing to pay a royalty in order to utilize the benefits of the asset. Fair value is estimated by discounting the hypothetical royalty payments to their present value over the estimated economic life of the asset. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including general economic conditions, availability of market information and the profitability of the Company. There were no impairment losses recognized on indefinite-lived intangible assets in any of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.

Health Care Benefits’ IBNR Liabilities

The Health Care Benefits segment’s health care costs payable include estimates of the ultimate cost of (i) services rendered to the segment’s Insured members but not yet reported to the Company and (ii) claims which have been reported to the Company but not yet paid (collectively, “IBNR”). Health care costs payable also include an estimate of the cost of services that will continue to be rendered after the financial statement date if the Company is obligated to pay for such services in accordance with contractual or regulatory requirements. IBNR estimates are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider numerous factors. See Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information on the Company’s reserving methodology.

During 2023 and 2022, the segment observed an increase in completion factors relative to those assumed at the prior year end. After considering the claims paid in 2023 and 2022 with dates of service prior to the fourth quarter of the previous year, the segment observed assumed incurred claim weighted average completion factors that were 4 and 3 basis points higher, respectively, than previously estimated, resulting in a decrease of $55 million and $32 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, in health care costs payable that related to the prior year. The segment has considered the pattern of changes in its completion factors when determining the completion factors used in its estimates of IBNR as of December 31, 2023. However, based on historical claim experience, it is reasonably possible that the estimated weighted average completion factors may vary by plus or minus 9 basis points from the assumed rates, which could impact health care costs payable by approximately plus or minus $166 million pretax.

Also, during 2023 and 2022, the Health Care Benefits segment observed that health care costs for claims with claim incurred dates of three months or less before the financial statement date were lower than previously estimated. Specifically, after considering the claims paid in 2023 and 2022 with claim incurred dates for the fourth quarter of the previous year, the segment

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observed health care costs that were 4.5% and 4.8% lower, respectively, for each fourth quarter than previously estimated, resulting in a reduction of $620 million and $622 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, in health care costs payable that related to prior year.

Management considers historical health care cost trend rates together with its knowledge of recent events that may impact current trends when developing estimates of current health care cost trend rates. When establishing reserves as of December 31, 2023, the segment increased its assumed health care cost trend rates for the most recent three months by 7.1% from health care cost trend rates recently observed. Health care cost trend rates during the past three years have been impacted by utilization changes driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact has not been uniform, with products and select geographies experiencing utilization impacts due to COVID-19 waves. Based on historical claim experience, it is reasonably possible that the segment’s estimated health care cost trend rates may vary by plus or minus 3.5% from the assumed rates, which could impact health care costs payable by plus or minus $595 million pretax.

New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

See Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for a description of recently adopted new accounting pronouncements applicable to the Company.

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Table of Contents

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company’s earnings and financial condition are exposed to interest rate risk, credit quality risk, market valuation risk, foreign currency risk, commodity risk and operational risk.

Evaluation of Interest Rate and Credit Quality Risk

The Company manages interest rate risk by seeking to maintain a tight match between the durations of assets and liabilities when appropriate. The Company manages credit quality risk by seeking to maintain high average credit quality ratings and diversified sector exposure within its debt securities portfolio. In connection with its investment and risk management objectives, the Company also uses derivative financial instruments whose market value is at least partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in interest rates (short-term or long-term), duration, prepayment rates, equity markets or credit ratings/spreads. The Company’s use of these derivatives is generally limited to hedging risk and has principally consisted of using interest rate swaps, treasury rate locks, forward contracts, futures contracts, warrants, put options and credit default swaps. These instruments, viewed separately, subject the Company to varying degrees of interest rate, equity price and credit risk. However, when used for hedging, the Company expects these instruments to reduce overall risk.

Investments

The Company’s investment portfolio supported the following products at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Experience-rated products $ 723 $ 744

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(1)Includes long-term investments of $17 million which were accounted for as assets held for sale and were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022. See Note 2 ‘‘Acquisitions, Divestitures and Asset Sales’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information.

Investment risks associated with experience-rated products generally do not impact the Company’s operating results. The risks associated with investments supporting experience-rated pension and annuity products in the large case pensions business in the Company’s Corporate/Other segment are assumed by the contract holders and not by the Company (subject to, among other things, certain minimum guarantees). Assets supporting experience-rated products may be subject to contract holder or participant withdrawals.

The debt securities in the Company’s investment portfolio had an average credit quality rating of A at both December 31, 2023 and 2022, with a fair value of approximately $4.6 billion and $6.0 billion rated AAA at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fair value of debt securities that were rated below investment grade (that is, having a credit quality rating below BBB-/Baa3) was $2.1 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (of which 1.5% and 1.6% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, supported experience-rated products).

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held $218 million and $202 million, respectively, of municipal debt securities that were guaranteed by third parties, representing 1% of total investments at both December 31, 2023 and 2022. These securities had an average credit quality rating of AA+ at both December 31, 2023 and 2022, with the guarantee. These securities had an average credit quality rating of AA- and A at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, without the guarantee. The Company does not have any significant concentration of investments with third party guarantors (either direct or indirect).

The Company generally classifies debt securities as available for sale, and carries them at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. At both December 31, 2023 and 2022, less than 1% of debt securities were valued using inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions (categorized as Level 3 inputs in accordance with GAAP). See Note 5 ‘‘Fair Value’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K for additional information on the methodologies and key assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. For additional information related to investments, see Note 4 ‘‘Investments’’ included in Item 8 of this 10-K.

The Company regularly reviews debt securities in its portfolio to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis or carrying value has occurred. If a debt security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the amortized cost basis of the security is written down to its fair value and the difference is recognized in net income. If a debt

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security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company does not have the intent to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell such security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company bifurcates the impairment into credit-related and non-credit related components. The amount of the credit-related component is recorded as an allowance for credit losses and recognized in net income, and the amount of the non-credit related component is included in other comprehensive income (loss). The impairment of debt securities is considered a critical accounting policy. See ‘‘Critical Accounting Policies - Impairments of Debt Securities” in the MD&A included in Item 7 of this 10-K for additional information.

Evaluation of Market Valuation Risks

The Company regularly evaluates its risk from market-sensitive instruments by examining, among other things, levels of or changes in interest rates (short-term or long-term), duration, prepayment rates, equity markets and/or credit ratings/spreads. The Company also regularly evaluates the appropriateness of investments relative to management-approved investment guidelines (and operates within those guidelines) and the business objectives of its portfolios.

On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the impact of hypothetical net losses in its investment portfolio on the Company’s consolidated near-term financial condition, operating results and cash flows assuming the occurrence of certain reasonably possible changes in near-term market rates and prices. Interest rate changes (whether resulting from changes in treasury yields or credit spreads or other factors) represent the most material risk exposure category for the Company. The Company has estimated the impact on the fair value of market sensitive instruments based on the net present value of cash flows using a representative set of likely future interest rate scenarios. The assumptions used were as follows: an immediate increase of 100 basis points in interest rates (which the Company believes represents a moderately adverse scenario) for long-term debt issued by the Company, as well as its interest rate sensitive investments and an immediate decrease of 15% in prices for publicly traded domestic equity securities in the Company’s investment portfolio.

Assuming an immediate increase of 100 basis points in interest rates, the theoretical decline in the fair values of market sensitive instruments at December 31, 2023 is as follows:

•The fair value of long-term debt issued by the Company would decline by approximately $3.5 billion ($4.4 billion pretax). Changes in the fair value of long-term debt do not impact the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

•The theoretical reduction in the fair value of interest rate sensitive investments partially offset by the theoretical reduction in the fair value of interest rate sensitive liabilities would result in a net decline in fair value of approximately $570 million ($720 million pretax) related to continuing non-experience-rated products. Net reductions in fair value would be reflected as an unrealized loss in equity, as the Company classifies these debt securities as available for sale and the effect of the interest rate on interest rate sensitive liabilities is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

If the value of the Company’s publicly traded domestic equity securities held within its investment portfolio were to decline by 15%, this would result in a net decline in fair value of $32 million ($41 million pretax).

Based on overall exposure to interest rate risk and equity price risk, the Company believes that these changes in market rates and prices would not materially affect consolidated near-term financial condition, operating results or cash flows as of December 31, 2023.

Evaluation of Foreign Currency and Commodity Risk

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any material foreign currency exchange rate or commodity derivative instruments in place and believes its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk is not material.

Evaluation of Operational Risks

The Company also faces certain operational risks. Those risks include risks related to information security, including cybersecurity.

The Company and its vendors have experienced diverse cyber attacks and expect to continue to experience cyber attacks going forward. As examples, the Company and its vendors have experienced attempts to gain access to systems, denial of service attacks, attempted malware infections, account takeovers, scanning activity and phishing emails. Attacks can originate from external criminals, terrorists, nation states or internal actors. The Company is dedicating and will continue to dedicate significant resources and incur significant expenses to maintain and update on an ongoing basis the systems and processes that are designed to mitigate the information security risks it faces and protect the security of its computer systems, software,

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networks and other technology assets against attempts by unauthorized parties to obtain access to confidential information, disrupt or degrade service or cause other damage. The impact of cyber attacks has not been material to the Company’s operations or operating results through December 31, 2023. The Board and its Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are regularly informed regarding the Company’s information security policies, practices and status. Please see “Cybersecurity” included in Item 1C of this 10-K for further information.

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Table of Contents

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 115

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31,

Revenues:

Operating costs:

Restructuring charges 507 — —

Opioid litigation charges — 5,803 —

Loss on assets held for sale 349 2,533 —

Store impairments — — 1,358

Goodwill impairment — — 431

Loss on early extinguishment of debt — — 452

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (24) (16) 12

Net income attributable to CVS Health $ 8,344 $ 4,311 $ 8,001

Net income per share attributable to CVS Health:

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Dividends declared per share $ 2.42 $ 2.20 $ 2.00

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the Years Ended December 31,

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) 1,090 (2,317) (556)

Change in discount rate on insurance reserves (67) 870 255

Foreign currency translation adjustments — — (7)

Net cash flow hedges 5 17 (26)

Pension and other postretirement benefits (61) (168) 20

Other comprehensive income (loss) 967 (1,598) (314)

Comprehensive income attributable to CVS Health $ 9,311 $ 2,713 $ 7,687

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets

At December 31,

In millions, except per share amounts 2023 2022

Assets:

Assets held for sale — 908

Liabilities:

Pharmacy claims and discounts payable 22,874 19,423

Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,741 1,678

Short-term debt 200 —

Current portion of long-term debt 2,772 1,778

Liabilities held for sale — 228

Long-term operating lease liabilities 16,034 16,800

Separate accounts liabilities 3,250 3,228

Other long-term insurance liabilities 5,459 5,835

Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)

Shareholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (297) (1,264)

Total CVS Health shareholders’ equity 76,461 71,469

Noncontrolling interests 175 300

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 249,728 $ 228,275

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31,

Cash flows from operating activities:

Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 7,729 6,729 7,246

Acquisitions (net of cash and restricted cash acquired) (16,612) (139) (146)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Commercial paper borrowings (repayments), net 200 — —

Proceeds from issuance of short-term loan 5,000 — —

Repayment of short-term loan (5,000) — —

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 10,898 — 987

Repurchase of common stock (2,012) (3,500) —

Proceeds from exercise of stock options 277 551 549

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 2,683 (10,516) (11,356)

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31,

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Loss on assets held for sale 349 2,533 —

Store impairments — — 1,358

Goodwill impairment — — 431

Gain on sale of subsidiaries — (475) —

Loss on early extinguishment of debt — — 452

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

Accounts payable and pharmacy claims and discounts payable 3,618 4,260 2,898

Health care costs payable and other insurance liabilities 394 992 101

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

Attributable to CVS Health

Adoption of new accounting standard (3) — — — — — (766) (766) — (766)

Other comprehensive loss (Note 15) — — — — — (314) (314) — (314)

Stock option activity, stock awards and other 11 — 864 — — — 864 — 864

ESPP issuances, net of purchase of treasury shares — 1 — 5 — — 5 — 5

Other increases in noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 6 6

Stock option activity, stock awards and other 14 — 816 — — — 816 — 816

Other decreases in noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — (22) (22)

Other comprehensive income (Note 15) — — — — — 967 967 — 967

Stock option activity, stock awards and other 10 — 795 — — — 795 — 795

Acquisition of noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 66 66

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(1)Treasury shares include 1 million shares held in trust for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Treasury stock includes $29 million related to shares held in trust for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. See Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ for additional information.

(2)Common stock and capital surplus includes the par value of common stock of $18 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and $17 million as of December 31, 2021.

(3)Reflects the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-12, Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (Topic 944) during the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 1 ‘‘Significant Accounting Policies’’ for additional information.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

CVS Health Corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, “CVS Health” or the “Company”), is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer it serves and connecting care so that it works for people wherever they are. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had more than 9,000 retail locations, more than 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, 204 primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 108 million plan members and expanding specialty pharmacy solutions, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 35 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (“PDP”). The Company is creating new sources of value through its integrated model allowing it to expand into personalized, technology driven care delivery and health services, increasing access to quality care, delivering better health outcomes and lowering overall health care costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of two key health care delivery assets to enhance its ability to execute on its care delivery strategy by advancing its primary care, home-based care and provider enablement capabilities. On March 29, 2023, the Company acquired Signify Health, Inc. (“Signify Health”), a leader in health risk assessments, value-based care and provider enablement services. On May 2, 2023, the Company also acquired Oak Street Health, Inc. (“Oak Street Health”), a leading multi-payor operator of value-based primary care centers serving Medicare eligible patients. Both Signify Health and Oak Street Health are included within the Health Services segment.

In connection with its new operating model adopted in the first quarter of 2023, the Company realigned the composition of its segments to reflect how its Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”) reviews information and manages the business. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. As a result of this realignment, the Company formed a new Health Services segment, which in addition to providing a full range of pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”) solutions, also delivers health care services in the Company’s medical clinics, virtually, and in the home, as well as provider enablement solutions. In addition, the Company created a new Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment, which includes its retail and long-term care pharmacy (“LTC”) operations and related pharmacy services, as well as its retail front store operations. This segment will also provide pharmacy fulfillment services to support the Health Services segment’s specialty and mail order pharmacy offerings. Prior period segment financial information has been recast to conform with the current period presentation.

The Company has four reportable segments: Health Care Benefits, Health Services, Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness and Corporate/Other, which are described below.

Health Care Benefits Segment

The Health Care Benefits segment operates as one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits providers. The Health Care Benefits segment has the information and resources to help members, in consultation with their health care professionals, make more informed decisions about their health care. The Health Care Benefits segment offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, medical management capabilities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, PDPs and Medicaid health care management services. The Health Care Benefits segment’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers (“providers”), governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. The Company refers to insurance products (where it assumes all or a majority of the risk for medical and dental care costs) as “Insured” and administrative services contract products (where the plan sponsor assumes all or a majority of the risk for medical and dental care costs) as “ASC.” The Company sold Insured plans directly to individual consumers through the individual public health insurance exchanges (“Public Exchanges”) in 12 states as of December 31, 2023. The Company entered Public Exchanges in five additional states effective January 2024.

Health Services Segment

The Health Services segment provides a full range of PBM solutions, delivers health care services in its medical clinics, virtually, and in the home, and offers provider enablement solutions. PBM solutions include plan design offerings and administration, formulary management, retail pharmacy network management services, and specialty and mail order pharmacy services. In addition, the Company provides clinical services, disease management services, medical spend management and pharmacy and/or other administrative services for providers and federal 340B drug pricing program covered entities (“Covered Entities”). The Company operates a group purchasing organization that negotiates pricing for the purchase of pharmaceuticals

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and rebates with pharmaceutical manufacturers on behalf of its participants and provides various administrative, management and reporting services to pharmaceutical manufacturers. During 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of two key health care delivery assets – Signify Health, a leader in health risk assessments, value-based care and provider enablement services, and Oak Street Health, a leading multi-payor operator of value-based primary care centers serving Medicare eligible patients. The Company also announced the launch of CordavisTM, a wholly owned subsidiary that will work directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to commercialize and/or co-produce high quality biosimilar products. The Health Services segment’s clients and customers are primarily employers, insurance companies, unions, government employee groups, health plans, PDPs, Medicaid managed care plans, CMS, plans offered on Insurance Exchanges and other sponsors of health benefit plans throughout the U.S., patients who receive care in the Health Services segment’s medical clinics, virtually or in the home, as well as Covered Entities.

Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness Segment

The Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment dispenses prescriptions in its retail pharmacies and through its infusion operations, provides ancillary pharmacy services including pharmacy patient care programs, diagnostic testing and vaccination administration, and sells a wide assortment of health and wellness products and general merchandise. The segment also conducts long-term care pharmacy (“LTC”) operations, which distribute prescription drugs and provide related pharmacy consulting and ancillary services to long-term care facilities and other care settings, and provides pharmacy fulfillment services to support the Health Services segment’s specialty and mail order pharmacy offerings. As of December 31, 2023, the Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment operated more than 9,000 retail locations, as well as online retail pharmacy websites, LTC pharmacies and on-site pharmacies, retail specialty pharmacy stores, compounding pharmacies and branches for infusion and enteral nutrition services.

Corporate/Other Segment

The Company presents the remainder of its financial results in the Corporate/Other segment, which primarily consists of:

•Management and administrative expenses to support the Company’s overall operations, which include certain aspects of executive management and the corporate relations, legal, compliance, human resources and finance departments, information technology, digital, data and analytics, as well as acquisition-related transaction and integration costs; and

•Products for which the Company no longer solicits or accepts new customers such as its large case pensions and long-term care insurance products.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of CVS Health and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and temporary investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company invests in short-term money market funds, commercial paper and time deposits, as well as other debt securities that are classified as cash equivalents within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as these funds are highly liquid and readily convertible to known amounts of cash.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets represents funds held on behalf of members and funds held in escrow in connection with agreements with accountable care organizations. Restricted cash included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets represents amounts held in a trust in one of the Company’s captive insurance companies to satisfy collateral requirements associated with the assignment of certain insurance policies. All restricted cash is invested in time deposits and money market funds.

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The following is a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the consolidated statements of cash flows as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 90 144 3,065

Restricted cash (included in other assets) 239 216 218

The decrease in restricted cash included in other current assets as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in health savings account funds held on behalf of customers as a result of the sale of PayFlex Holdings, Inc. (“PayFlex”). See Note 2 ‘‘Acquisitions, Divestitures and Asset Sales’’ for additional information on the Company’s sale of PayFlex.

Investments

Debt Securities

Debt securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate and foreign bonds and other debt securities. Debt securities are classified as either current or long-term investments based on their contractual maturities unless the Company intends to sell an investment within the next twelve months, in which case it is classified as current on the consolidated balance sheets. Debt securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. See Note 5 ‘‘Fair Value’’ for additional information on how the Company estimates the fair value of these investments.

If a debt security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the amortized cost basis of the security is written down to its fair value and the difference is recognized in net income. If a debt security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company does not have the intent to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell such security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company bifurcates the impairment into credit-related and non-credit related (yield-related) components. In evaluating whether a credit related loss exists, the Company considers a variety of factors including: the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis; adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of a security, an industry or geographic area; the payment structure of the security; the failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments; and any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency. The amount of the credit-related component is recorded as an allowance for credit losses and recognized in net income, and the amount of the non-credit related component is included in other comprehensive income (loss). Interest is not accrued on debt securities when management believes the collection of interest is unlikely.

The credit-related component is determined by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security, considering all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, the Company records an allowance for credit losses, which is limited by the amount that the fair value is less than amortized cost basis.

For mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, the Company recognizes income using an effective yield based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. The Company’s investment in the security is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the acquisition of the security, with adjustments recognized in net income.

Equity Securities

Equity securities with readily available fair values are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loan investments on the consolidated balance sheets are valued at the unpaid principal balance, net of an allowance for credit losses. Mortgage loans with a maturity date or a committed prepayment date within twelve months are classified as

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current on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company assesses whether its loans share similar risk characteristics and, if so, groups such loans in a risk pool when measuring expected credit losses. The Company considers the following characteristics when evaluating whether its loans share similar risk characteristics: loan-to-value ratios, property type (e.g., office, retail, apartment, industrial), geographic location, vacancy rates and property condition.

Credit loss reserves are determined using a loss rate method that multiplies the unpaid principal balance of each loan within a risk pool group by an estimated loss rate percentage. The loss rate percentage considers both the expected loan loss severity and the probability of loan default. For periods where the Company is able to make or obtain reasonable and supportable forecasts of expected economic conditions (e.g., gross domestic product, employment), the Company adjusts its expected loss rates to reflect these forecasted economic conditions. For periods beyond which the Company is able to make or obtain reasonable and supportable forecasts of expected economic conditions, the Company reverts to historical loss rates in determining expected credit losses.

Interest income on a potential problem loan (i.e., high probability of default) or restructured loan is accrued to the extent it is deemed to be collectible and the loan continues to perform under its original or restructured terms. Interest income on problem loans (i.e., more than 60 days delinquent, in bankruptcy or in process of foreclosure) is recognized on a cash basis. Cash payments on loans in the process of foreclosure are treated as a return of principal.

Other Investments

Other investments consist primarily of the following:

•Private equity and hedge fund limited partnerships, which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the carrying value of the investment is based on the value of the Company’s equity ownership of the underlying investment funds provided by the general partner or manager of the investments, the financial statements of which generally are audited. As a result of the timing of the receipt of the valuation information provided by the fund managers, these investments are generally reported on up to a three month lag. The Company reviews investments for impairment at least quarterly and monitors their performance throughout the year through discussions with the administrators, managers and/or general partners. If the Company becomes aware of an impairment of a limited partnership’s investments through its review or prior to receiving the limited partnership’s financial statements at the financial statement date, an impairment will be recognized by recording a reduction in the carrying value of the limited partnership with a corresponding charge to net investment income.

•Investment real estate, which is carried on the consolidated balance sheets at depreciated cost, including capital additions, net of write-downs for other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of each asset. If any real estate investment is considered held-for-sale, it is carried at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less estimated selling costs. The Company generally estimates fair value using net operating income and applying a capitalization rate in conjunction with comparable sales information. At the time of the sale, the difference between the sales price and the carrying value is recorded as a realized capital gain or loss.

•Privately-placed equity securities, which are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at cost less impairments, plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes. Additionally, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”), a subsidiary of the Company is required to purchase and hold shares of the FHLBB. These shares are restricted and carried at cost.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income on the Company’s investments is recorded when earned and is reflected in the Company’s net income (other than net investment income on assets supporting experience-rated products). Experience-rated products are products in the large case pensions business where the contract holder, not the Company, assumes investment and other risks, subject to, among other things, minimum guarantees provided by the Company. The effect of investment performance on experience-rated products is allocated to contract holders’ accounts daily, based on the underlying investment experience and, therefore, does not impact the Company’s net income (as long as the contract’s minimum guarantees are not triggered). Net investment income on assets supporting large case pensions’ experience-rated products is included in net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations and is credited to contract holders’ accounts through a charge to benefit costs. The contract holders’ accounts are reflected in policyholders’ funds on the consolidated balance sheets.

Realized capital gains and losses on investments (other than realized capital gains and losses on investments supporting experience-rated products) are included as a component of net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized capital gains and losses are determined on a specific identification basis. Purchases and sales of debt and equity securities and alternative investments are reflected on the trade date. Purchases and sales of mortgage loans and investment real estate are reflected on the closing date.

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Realized capital gains and losses on investments supporting large case pensions’ experience-rated products are not included in realized capital gains and losses in the consolidated statements of operations and instead are credited directly to contract holders’ accounts. The contract holders’ accounts are reflected in policyholders’ funds on the consolidated balance sheets.

Unrealized capital gains and losses on investments (other than unrealized capital gains and losses on investments supporting experience-rated products) are reflected in shareholders’ equity, net of tax, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized capital gains and losses on investments supporting large case pensions’ experience-rated products are credited directly to contract holders’ accounts. The contract holders’ accounts are reflected in policyholders’ funds on the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments in order to manage interest rate and foreign exchange risk and credit exposure. The Company’s use of these derivatives is generally limited to hedging risk and has principally consisted of using interest rate swaps, treasury rate locks, forward contracts, futures contracts, warrants, put options and credit default swaps.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for credit losses, customer credit allowances, contractual allowances and estimated terminations.Accounts receivable, net was composed of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

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(1)Includes accounts receivable of $227 million which were accounted for as assets held for sale and were included in assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022. See Note 2 ‘‘Acquisitions, Divestitures and Asset Sales’’ for additional information.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses was $343 million and $333 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. When developing an estimate of the Company’s expected credit losses, the Company considers all available relevant information regarding the collectability of cash flows, including historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions over the contractual life of the receivable. The Company’s accounts receivable are short duration in nature and typically settle in less than 30 days.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the weighted average cost method. Physical inventory counts are taken on a regular basis in each retail store and pharmacy, and a continuous cycle count process is the primary procedure used to validate the inventory balances on hand in each distribution center and mail facility to ensure that the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements are properly stated. During the interim period between physical inventory counts, the Company accrues for anticipated physical inventory losses on a location-by-location basis based on historical results and current physical inventory trends.

Reinsurance Recoverables

The Company utilizes reinsurance agreements primarily to: (a) reduce required capital and (b) facilitate the acquisition or disposition of certain insurance contracts. Ceded reinsurance agreements permit the Company to recover a portion of its losses from reinsurers, although they do not discharge the Company’s primary liability as the direct insurer of the risks reinsured. Failure of reinsurers to indemnify the Company could result in losses; however, the Company does not expect charges for unrecoverable reinsurance to have a material effect on its consolidated operating results or financial condition. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of its reinsurers. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s reinsurance recoverables consisted primarily of amounts due from third parties that are rated consistent with companies that are considered to have the

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ability to meet their obligations. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as other current assets or other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Health Care Contract Acquisition Costs

Insurance products included in the Health Care Benefits segment are cancellable by either the customer or the member monthly upon written notice. Acquisition costs related to prepaid health care and health indemnity contracts are generally expensed as incurred. For certain long-duration insurance contracts, acquisition costs directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract, including commissions, are deferred and are recorded as other current assets or other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Contracts are grouped by product and issue year into cohorts consistent with the grouping used in estimating the associated liability and are amortized on a constant level basis based on the remaining in-force policies over the estimated term of the contracts to approximate straight-line amortization. Changes to the Company’s assumptions, including assumptions related to persistency, are reflected at the cohort level at the time of change and are recognized prospectively over the estimated terms of the contract. The amortization of deferred acquisition costs is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The following is a roll forward of deferred acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Deferred acquisition costs, beginning of the period $ 1,219 $ 879

Amortization expense (265) (224)

Deferred acquisition costs, end of the period $ 1,502 $ 1,219